Gatti's candidacy had been a subject of vociferous debate among boxing insiders, a question of his limited credentials versus undeniable entertainment value.

“It is the biggest honor that’s ever been bestowed upon me," said Hill in a statement. "It’s more than winning the five world titles and the Olympic silver medal. It’s the biggest thing -- outside of my children and wife -- that’s ever happened to me.”

Other inductees from the 2013 include lightweight Wesley Ramey and middleweight Jeff Smith in the Old-Timer Category (posthumous), manager Arturo “Cuyo” Hernandez in the non-participant category (posthumous); cartoonist Ted Carroll in the observer category (posthumous); and Joe Coburn in the pioneer category (posthumous).